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Find an R2 recycler
Choosing an R2 certified recycler takes the guess work out of hiring a reputable electronics recycler that adheres to the highest industry standards.
To find a certified R2 electronics recycler, click here.
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Become R2 certified
R2 is the leading standard for the electronics recycling industry, setting a high bar for practices that protect the environment, human health, safety and the security of the recycling process. Show your customers that you are an industry leader.
To become an R2 certified recycler, please contact one of these accredited certifying bodies.
AQA International 
Orion Registrar, Inc. 
Perry Johnson Registrars, Inc. 
QMI-SAI Global 
SGS
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Welcome to the R2 Update! This newsletter contains relevant industry information and news pertaining to R2 Solutions, and more importantly the R2 Standard, the leading certification program for the electronics recycling industry.
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How Will We Fund R2 Solutions Going Forward?
To date, R2 Solutions has received seed funding from about thirty companies that want to see the R2 Standard thrive in the marketplace. This has not been intended as a sustainable funding strategy - nor could it be. It is now time to institute a long-term funding strategy.
The R2 Solutions Board of Directors has provided some guiding principles in this matter. First, the Board has stated that all entities that have an interest in the viability of the R2 Standard should be asked to help fund R2 Solutions. This includes all R2-certified recyclers, as well as key customers of these recyclers and the R2 Certification Bodies.
Second, the Board of Directors has called for the establishment of a systematic approach for collecting funding from R2-certified recyclers. For example, perhaps R2 Solutions could implement an annual fee for listing R2-certified recyclers on the R2 website. Whatever the approach, it needs to be equitable and practical. As for funding from the rest of the "R2 community", the approaches may vary, but they also need to be equitable and practical.
R2 Solutions will be refining its long-term funding strategy over the next couple of months, and implementing it beginning in early 2012. With the help of all who have an interest in the continued effectiveness of the R2 Standard, R2 Solutions will be well supported for the foreseeable future. |
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R2 Technical Advisory Committee Update
The R2 TAC has been working diligently to finish the R2 Guidance Document. After meeting to review a draft version in mid-November, the next draft is scheduled for release for public comment in early December. The draft R2 Guidance Document will be made available for public comment for 30 days. This period of public review is part of the mission of R2 Solutions to ensure the process is balanced, transparent, and open to input from all interested parties. Everyone is encouraged to review the document and provide feedback and questions for the R2 TAC as it continues to refine the Guidance Document.
Additionally, the R2 TAC will begin meetings in December to review and revise the R2 Standard. Initial public input has been collected through a previous web-based survey. This input will serve as the starting point for revisions to the R2 Standard. The public is invited to continue providing feedback through the R2 Solutions website under the R2 Practices menu.
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An Introduction to the R2 Certification Process
This article was written by John Fraser, Product and Development Manager, Environment, at QMI SAI Global - one of the five Certification Bodies accredited for the R2 Standard. QMI SAI Global has a network of BDMs and RARs covering North America, with a similar set up internationally. John can be reached at 1-800-465-3717 ext 8671 or at john.fraser@qmi-saiglobal.com.
You're going for R2 certification! There are close to as many reasons for this decision as there are recyclers, but most of them revolve around competitiveness and being ahead of the curve, wanting to get better, customer requirements and personal commitment. Regardless of the motivation, the Certification Body (CB) will help you get there with a team of experts in their fields. Your team may consist of:
- Business Development Manager (BDM)
- Regional Account Representative (RAR)
- Lead Auditor (LA)
- Internal R2 Expert
You may meet your CB initially at a conference or through a phone call or email. The BDM will learn the key details of your business through conversations and a questionnaire and then issue you a proposal fully explaining the details of certification. It will account for the materials you process, how you process them and the size of your operations and downstream. Once you have accepted the proposal, the RAR will introduce you to your Lead Auditor and become your prime contact. The RAR will handle scheduling, changes, technical assistance and so forth.
Your auditor will be the key player in your continual improvement. He or she will be in touch with you during the planning for each audit to get updated on changes in your business. The auditor will share updates and answer any questions during the audit, formal meetings, debriefings, or at other times throughout the year. Auditors can be a wealth of information on best practices.
This is your team: it's the BDM getting you a proposal for a new facility; it's the RAR helping you change your audit date; it's the CB's Internal R2 Expert helping you with an interpretation. Each plays a role and together they help you achieve the benefits of certification. |
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Conformity review: the EH&S Management System
Conformity review is a monthly column highlighting important operational information concerning the R2 Standard
The Environmental, Health, and Safety Management System (EHSMS) required by Provision 1 of the R2 Standard does not need to be certified to another standard (e.g. RIOS, ISO, or OHSAS). The R2 certification audit will evaluate the EHSMS to fulfill R2 Provision 1(b). However, if established EH&S standards are implemented, this will create the system needed to achieve the requirements of Provision 1.
RIOS Certification, the Recycling Industry Operating Standard, will satisfy all of the EHSMS requirements of R2. Contrary to popular belief, the ISO 14001 certification alone does not meet all the health & safety requirements of R2 (e.g. Provision 4). Likewise, OHSAS 18001 certification alone does not fulfill the management system requirements of R2. However, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 combined would meet the R2 requirements.
There are numerous parts of the R2 Standard which establish expectations similar to the above environmental or health & safety standards. The extent to which a brief phrase in the R2 Standard establishes a requirement is not always apparent. For example, Provision 1(a) requires a "review at least annually", which establishes a requirement for yearly internal EHSMS audits.
The footnote for "Plan-Do-Check-Act" under Provision 1(a) (2) translates into the need for most of the components of a certifiable EHSMS. "Monitor key activities and track performance" requires that a recycler establish formal tracking for checking EH&S activities. "Identify and correct problems and prevent recurrence" refers to a corrective action system that identifies non-conformances, determines root cause, and manages corrective actions to completion.
Another requirement for auditing is established under Provision 3(a)(1). Here it discusses legal requirements and states "periodically evaluate compliance with the [legal] requirements". This translates into a requirement to conduct a yearly internal compliance review, which is different from an internal EH&S audit. Keep in mind these audits must be completed by someone with experience or training in audit methods and the in-depth knowledge about the requirements.
One other less obvious requirement is under Provision 1(a)(3)(D). It requires an "EHS hazards identification and assessment". This requirement is usually met using an "aspects evaluation format" as is common in other EH&S standards. An aspects evaluation is a spreadsheet that evaluates all the activities in your operation with respect to all reasonably foreseeable EH&S risks. In RIOS, this is known as the "Footprint".
The important thing to remember is that one phrase in the R2 Standard may require a whole set of activities to fulfill the underlying requirements. R2 is intentionally broad to allow for flexibility in meeting the requirements. There are numerous methods that could be used to meet each requirement, but the basic expectation for an EHSMS will be in line with the RIOS, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001 standards.
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We want to hear from you! Please send along any R2 related news or information that you think would be important to share with the electronics recycling community.
Thank you!
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